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Bionic Commando is the name of several video games, the first being an arcade game released by Capcom in 1987.

It was later released for several home computers (ported by Software Creations and published by Go!). Perhaps the most well-known version was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System by Capcom itself. The game has also appeared on the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, these two games being more closely related to the NES version than the arcade version. The main character, Radd (or Ladd) Spencer, is a commando with a bionic arm which can grab onto surfaces, allowing him to pull himself forward, or swing from the ceiling. The game is notable for being one of few platform games in which the player cannot jump. To cross gaps, the hero must swing like Tarzan on a vine.

Contents 1 NES version 2 Computer ports 3 Music 4 Gameplay and controls (Nintendo version) 4.1 Bionic arm 4.2 Stage-selection map 5 Memorable quotes 6 External links

NES version

The original Japanese version of Bionic Commando (called ヒットラーの復活 or Hitler no Fukkatsu: Top Secret (The Resurrection of Hitler: Top Secret)) placed the character in a battle against futuristic Nazis. The final boss was Adolf Hitler, who had been resurrected by evil scientists. (See original cover art [1]). All references to Nazism were removed from the American release: the swastikas were replaced by eagle figures, the enemies were renamed from "Nazis" to "Badds" and the overall difficulty of the game was reduced. The final boss's name was changed to "Master-D", but he still clearly resembles Adolf Hitler. There is a notably gory ending sequence in which his head explodes. This was kept intact in the American version, which was unusual considering Nintendo's heavy censorship issues.

Computer ports

The computer ports of the game (available at least for 8-bit computers Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum and 16-bit computers Amiga and Atari ST) received average or decent reviews. The Nintendo version was advanced with many new features and received quite good reviews. It features, for example, a map in which the player selects a stage to play; that type of map was later used in other platform games such as Super Mario Bros 3. For Commodore 64 there are two different versions, a US version by Capcom and a UK version by Software Creations. The UK version for Commodore 64 seems to be the most well received computer port, while the US version is considered poor.

Music

The music for the computer conversions was arranged by Tim Follin and has been considered to be of high quality. Credits are given for Tim Follin's brother too, but he only programmed a music-playing routine. The original music was composed by Harumi Fujita for the YM2151 arcade-game sound chip. Tim Follin rearranged original compositions and utilized capabilities of computer sound chips well; the music on stage four is mainly Follin's own composition. The game's music sounds very different on every machine due to differences in sound chips. The Amiga version features music that is based on well-chosen instrument samples while the C64 version is a great example of utilizing the capabilities of the SID-chip. The Atari ST music is well done despite of the limitations of the YM2149 soundchip.

The Nintendo version also has many original tunes that gamers considered to be good.

Gameplay and controls (Nintendo version)

Bionic arm

Bionic Commando's hero sports a gun with one hand and an extensible bionic gripper device on the other. His bionic arm can be extended and rotated in 45-degree increments, from horizontally left to directly upwards to horizontally right. Once attached to something, Radd can pull himself to wherever the arm has latched, typically leaving him swinging back and forth under the point of connection. From this position, he can swing off or hoist himself up to the point of connection.

Radd's bionic arm can also deflect some types of bullets and grab certain enemies and items.

The game is somewhat like a regular platformer otherwise. However, enemies can sometimes be defeated for "bullets", which, if the player gets enough of them, will add extra units of health. This is important because the player only starts with one life point (three in the Game Boy versions).

Stage-selection map

Another original feature of Bionic Commando is that, instead of moving in a straight path through the levels, the player can, between levels, move around on a map-like screen. The player can move his helicopter one space at a time between the areas, represented by numbers.

Once above a numbered area, the player can either choose to play it or move to another area. The player has to complete the current level to move on, although he can go back to the map by pressing either Start, A, and B, or Select, A, and B (depending on the version).

There are also green enemy trucks on the map, and if the player runs into them between icons, he will be forced into an overhead battle, similar to the previous game Commando. Certain enemies can be defeated there to get extra continues, although there is no saving in the NES version (the GameBoy version uses passwords, and the GameBoy Color version saves automatically).

Memorable quotes

• "What, you're going to fight against me? You damn fool." - Master-D (Adolf Hitler)
• "Your number's up, monster!" - Radd
• "Get the heck out of here, you nerd!" - unnamed enemy soldier
• "Don't be hasty. Advance with caution." - man in red pants

External links

FAQs

• Bionic Commando FAQ for the NES version on the Open Game FAQs GNU-FDL Wiki.

Fan sites (for Nintendo version)

• The Bionic Commando Headquarters
• The Bionic Commando Database
• Bionic Commando at MobyGames
• Bionic Commando at The Killer List of Video Games

Music

• Music for Amiga version (Can be played with DeliPlayer. The LHA file does not need to be unzipped.)
• Music for Commodore 64 version (Includes a SID file.)
• DeliPlayer, a free music player for Windows that supports many formats, including Commdore 64 & Amiga music. Note that SID files & Amiga soundfiles consist of several subtunes.

(Music for the Nintendo version is available on the Fan sites above.)

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